WEST NANTMEAL TWP., PA - On October 18^th at 9:08 P.M., Station 69 was dispatched to the 100 block of Isabella Road in West Nantmeal Township for an outside investigation. Initial callers reported a large fire could be seen, however they couldn't see exactly what was on fire. Minutes later, the Chester County Fireboard received additional information that a large barn and house were on fire, upgrading the incident.

Station 33 was now due on the box alarm for Engine 33-5 and Rescue 33 for the RIT assignment. While responding, Chief 69 could observe the large blaze from miles out, and requested the working fire dispatch, which added additional resources, including Engine 33-1. First arriving units from 69 found a massive, two-and-a-half-story barn-type structure with heavy fire throughout, along with an attached two-and-a-half-story dwelling.

Chief 69 assumed the Isabella Road command and reported that the homeowners were not accounted for, advising that they may have entrapment. Engine 33-5 arrived as the 3rd due engine, dumping its entire hose bed of 5" LDH from Isabella Rd. to the fire scene, picking up the line from Engine 69-5. Personnel from Engine 33-5 immediately stretched multiple lines and began assisting with suppression efforts.

Simultaneously, the crew from Engine 33-5 searched the residence, and fortunately confirmed no entrapment. While searching, Engine 33-5's crew successfully located and rescued a dog from the first-floor of the structure, reuniting the dog with the homeowner. Rescue 33 arrived and established RIT on the A/B corner briefly, before being released and re-assigned by Command. Engine 33-1 took the fill site assignment, initially setting up at the Kurtz Fish Hatchery, pulling a draft from the pond and supplying tankers for the scene.

Firefighters from four counties worked until the early morning hours extinguishing the massive blaze, with the remaining Honey Brook units clearing the scene around 4:00 A.M. the next morning.